Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

Prescription (per item): £7.85

12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00

3-month PPC: £29.10

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

Repeat Prescriptions

It is the patient's responsibility to re-order medication when due

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in a number of ways:

In person - drop the computerised half of your prescription with the required item(s) ticked or hand-written request in the red prescription box at reception or the outside letterbox.

By post - send it to us with a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back to you.

By fax - to 0208 882 1169

Online - CLICK HERE for online services First time users will need to register for these services. Please ask at Reception for details. You will need to provide a vaild email address. Reception staff will then issue you with a registration token number which will be required to complete the registration process.

For security reasons repeat prescription requests will not be taken over the telephone unless the patient is housebound.

The maximum medication permitted is for a period of no more than 2 months.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Please note that if you are on repeat medications you will be required to have annual reviews before the medication will be prescribed. This is for optimal management and your safety.

Warfarin patients: Please bring along the latest clinic letter so your INR reading can be recorded on your records. This ensures you are on the optimum medication regime for your condition.

Contraception requests: Patients must ensure that they have a Blood Pressure check and BMI done prior to the medication request

Hypertensive Patients: Please ensure that you have a Blood Pressure check and BMI check at least twice a year and potential blood tests that you would have to be counselled on too before starting your medications.

Diabetic patientsmust have an annual blood test and Nurse review

Asthma patientsmust have an annual Nurse review.

Some patients will need blood tests done prior to the medication request. This is to ensure you are on the optimum medication regime for your condition.

Thank You

Can my GP prescribe extra medication to cover my holiday?

If you need medication for a long-term health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you may be able to get an extra supply of medication to cover your time away.

You'll need to obtain a prescription from your GP, who will consider factors such as:

the type of medication you're taking

restrictions on specific medicines in the country you're visiting

Your GP will take into account whether you're taking a medicine that requires you to have regular monitoring or blood tests.

You should arrange to see your GP several weeks before you go away on holiday to discuss all of this.

Will my GP prescribe medication in case I'm ill when I'm away?

Talk to your GP about this. They will only give you an NHS prescription if they think you need the medication. They don't have to give you an NHS prescription just because you think you should have the medication.

Some GPs will provide private prescriptions, which are not free, if they agree that you should have medication to hand in case you're ill while you’re away.

Check what medication you can take

Before you travel, find out if there are any restrictions on taking your medicine in and out of:

the UK

the country you're visiting

Some medicines available over the counter in the UK may be strictly regulated (controlled) in other countries.

In March 2018, NHS England published guidelines about reducing the prescribing of medicines or treatments that are available to buy over the counter.

This means that certain medicines may no longer be prescribed if you can buy them over the counter.